Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A short distance from the capital in Panamá Province, Parque Nacional Soberanía is a
bird-watcher's paradise where, in a single day, you can see hundreds of species. Lush
rainforest also abounds on the nearby biological reserve of Monumento Natural Isla
Barro Colorado, where scientists study the area's incredibly rich biodiversity. Also close
to Panama City is the historical Fuerte San Lorenzo.
In Coclé Province, Parque Nacional Omar Torrijos is a lovely national park. It remains
largely overlooked since access is difficult - access requires a good 4WD, or at least one
hour's walk to reach the entrance. It offers prime bird-watching and the possibility of
viewing both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
In Azuero, the Refugio de Vida Silvestre Cenegón del Mangle is a mangrove forest
and wildlife refuge that's a prime nesting ground for herons and other birdlife. It also
contains a series of pools said to have therapeutic properties.
Although the province of Los Santos has no national parks, there is an attractive wild-
life refuge and a protected area frequented by nesting sea turtles. The Refugio de Vida
Silvestre Isla Iguana near Pedasí offers snorkeling, and occasional sightings of humpback
whales. Nearby, Isla de Cañas is a major nesting site for olive ridley sea turtles.
In Veraguas, Parque Nacional Coiba is one of the largest marine parks in the world. It
contains Panama's largest island, the 493-sq-km Isla de Coiba, which is regarded by sci-
entists as a biodiversity hot spot. Also in Veraguas, the 32,577-hectare Parque Nacional
Cerro Hoya protects some of the last remaining patches of dry tropical forest on the
Península de Azuero. The newest national park is Parque Nacional Santa Fé, around
Santa Fé.
The San Lorenzo Project (
www.sanlorenzo.org.pa
) protects the forests, wetlands and
coastal regions surrounding former US military base Fuerte Sherman in Colón Province.
In Chiriquí Province, Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí is an impressive
14,740-hectare marine park with 25 islands and numerous coral reefs. The aquatic life
here is astounding. In the highlands, Parque Nacional Volcán Barú surrounds Panama's
only volcano, a fine destination for hikers and bird-watchers. Volcán Barú (3478m) is
Panama's highest peak. Chiriquí also has part of the binational Parque Internacional La
Amistad. Although largely unexplored, La Amistad offers several excellent day hikes
and local indigenous guides lead overnight excursions.
In the Archipiélago de Bocas del Toro, Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos pro-
tects various areas of the archipelago and is an important nature reserve for many species
of Caribbean wildlife. Turtles nest on its beaches and its abundant marine life makes for
